Electrically actuated lock mechanism



July 9, 1957 J. E. WALDEN ELECTRICALLY ACTUATED LOCK MECHANISM Filed Nov. 23, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l a R F @W 1 o 6. z a m III Ilillllllllli I! lie;- 5

Wklden ATTORNEY July 9, 1957 J. E. WALDEN 2,798,751

EILECTRICALLY ACTUATED LOCK MECHANISM Filed Nov. 23, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 :IIIIIIIIIIII/IIIIIIII,

' I INVENTOR JZL Wdlden ATTORNEY 2,798,751 Patented July 9, 1957 ice 2,798,751 ELECTRICALLY ACTUATED LOCK MECHANISM John E. Walden, Delaware, 01:1 .0 Application November 23, 1955, Serial No. 548,603 6 Claims. (Cl. 292-144) This invention relates to electrically actuated lock mechanisms, having particular reference to lock mechanisms wherein. a solenoid actuated movable bolt member is moved between an inactive position of retraction and an active position of projection within and beyond the confines of an associated casing In accordance with the present invention, a door-locking and releasing mechanism is provided which, while adapted for the locking of a considerable number of different kinds of doors and other movable closures, maybe advantageously employed in the locking and guarding of the rear doors or gates of automotive truck bodies. In the delivery of truck-conveyed goods to a specific consignee, it often occurs that the truck operator, or other attendant, upon removing a consignment, forgets or for other reasons fails to lock the cargo access door or closure of the truck while the latter is left unattended, as during transferring or delivery of goods to the premises of the consignee.

It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide an electrically actuated lock mechanism for application to the cargo compartment doors of motor trucks wherein the mechanism may be released by the Opera tion of manual switch means from the drivers cab position in order to admit of door opening and cargo removal, and wherein an automatic switch means is provided and so mounted that following removal of goods and when the vehicle is left unattended, the mere closure of the door will result in lock mechanism actuation, retaining the door in its locked condition.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an electrically actuated lock mechanism wherein a sliding bolt is moved initially between locking and unlocking positions by the excitation of the field coil of a single solenoid, such excitation moving a weighted armature and associated throw arms to positions of bolt projection or retraction.

Another object is to provide a springless, electrically actuated mechanism wherein a single solenoid coil through successive excitations thereof will serve to project alternately a movable bolt into and out of locking position.

A further object is to provide an electrically operated lock mechanism wherein a sliding bolt is moved into and out of locking position by successive excitations of a single field coil of a solenoid, and wherein weighted, motion-translating devices are employed to initiate and impart operating movement to the bolt upon momentary coil energization, full stroke movements of projection and retraction being imparted to the bolt by the momentum and gravity response of the motion-translating devices.

Still a further object is to provide a simple, positive, and reliable, electrically actuated lock mechanism which is characterized by its sturdy design, long operating life, and freedom from operational failures.

For a further understanding of the invention, inclu ing additional objects, advantages, and novel constructional features thereof, reference is to be had to the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein has been illustrated a single but preferred embodiment of the invention.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a door and door frame with portions thereof broken away to disclose the electrically actuated lock mechanism of the present invention and its operative position in relation thereto;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken through the lock mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken through the door-actuated control switch for the solenoid coil;

Fig. 6 is a detail horizontal sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view of the operating circuit for the lock mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a detail view disclosing a modified form of the present invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the lock includes a frame-mounted casing 1- in which is positioned a solenoid 2 having a field coil 3 which, when energized, attracts a gravity-responsive, slidable armature 4. Upward motion of the armature against gravity and in response to coil excitation serves to operate an oscillator weighted lever 5, whereby a sliding latch bolt 6, carrier by straps 6a on the stationary casing 1, may be either projected into or withdrawn from looking engagement with a keeper 7 mounted in the outer edge of a horizontally swinging hinged door 8.

The solenoid is energized by closing movement of the door, the latter at its hinged end engaging a framecarried automatic switch 9 in circuit with the solenoid coil 3. The upward movement of the solenoid armature i oscillates the lever 5, so that the latter is caused to swing past its vertical center 10, and through momentum imparted thereto travels to a limit position of movement in which the sliding latch bolt 6 is projected into engagement with the keeper 7, whereby to lock the door in its position of closure. The weighted free end of the lever 5 gravationally maintains the bolt in its projected position of keeper engagement or its retracted position of door release.

The upper end of the armature 4 is weighted at Ill and its lower end at 12, so that upon the deenergization of the coil 3 of the armature, the armature, by virtue of its weight, descends gravitationally without the aid of springs. Fig. 2 discloses the bolt 6 in its projected doorlocking position. When the coil 3 is momentarily energized by the operation of a cab-mounted manual switch 3, the resultant upward movement of the armature will, through a link 13 pivoted at 14 to the armature and at 15 to a throw arm 16 which is weighted at 16a on its outer end, rock the arm 16 on its pivotal axis 17 past the center line It). The pivot pin 16 is positioned in the slotted upper end of the lever 5, so that the latter is caused to swing in unison with the arm 16, maintaining automatically its dwell positions .on either side of the center line 10.

The lower end of the arm 5 is pivoted at 18 on the casing 1. Below the pivot 18 the arm includes a short extension 19 which is linked at 20 to a latch-operating arm 21, the latter having a bifurcated or forked upper end 21a formed to receive a stud 21b on the latch bolt, the arm 21 being pivotally mounted at 22 on the easing 1. The extension 19 is also linked at 22a with an arm 23 employed in the operation of switch controls 24 and 25 of circuits shown at 26 and 27. These circuits may contain colored visual signals 28 and 29, as shown in Fig. 7, to denote at remote positions, such as the drivers cab of a motor vehicle, the operating condition of the lock proper, that is, whether opened or closed. Other suitable indicating or signalling means, either visual or audible, may, of course, be used in lieu of the arrangement shown. The circuits 26 and 27 are supplied with current from the source of energy 30 joined by a con-.

ductor 31 with the pivotal center of the arm 23, the source 30 containing a ground 32 and a manual control switch 33. The circuits 26 and 27 are provided with grounds The construction thus defined provides a springless, electrically actuated lock mechanism wherein the operating solenoid, upon successive operations thereof efiected as a result of momentary energization, lifts a gravityresponsive armature. As soon as the solenoid is deenergized, which through the operation of the automatic switch 9 takes place almost instantly following solenoid excitation, it enables the momentum attained by the arm 16, through its weighted end 1611, to carry the arm and the lever 5 past the center line to a position of rest on either side of said line, thus positively advancing or retracting the bolt 6 and bringing the same into and out of locking engagement with the door-carried keeper 7.

The field coil 37 of the solenoid 2 is adapted to be joined with a circuit containing an energy source 36, which may be one with the source 36, and a manually operated, normally open switch 37. By closing the switch 37, which preferably is of the push button type, the coil 3 may be momentarily energized to operate, or initiate the operation of, the lock controls, moving, for example, the bolt 6 to its retracted or door-unlocking position. Additionally, the circuit 35 may be closed by the dooroperated switch 9, so that after the door 8 has been opene and goods removed from or placed in the cargo compartment of a truck, the door upon closure will be locked through the unidirectional operation of the normally open switch 9.

Thus, when the door 8 is opened, the switch 9 is so formed that it remains open and does not close the coil circuit 35, but upon movement of the door in a closing direction, the switch 9 is operated to close the circuit 35 and energize the solenoid coil momentarily during such door-closing movement.

To accomplish such unidirectional movement, the switch 9 may be formed to comprise a casing capable of being mortised in the frame F of the doorway. Mounted for rocking movement in the casing is an insulated arm 41, the latter carrying a slidable plunger 42 which projects exteriorly of the casing 40 for engagement with the abutting hinged edge 43 of the door 8. Thus, when the door is moved from its opened to its closed position, the plunger will be actuated to move the arm 41 in a direction momentarily closing the coil circuit 35. To this end, the arm at its lower end carries a screw terminal 44 having its shank end terminated in registry with a recess 45 of the arm. This recessed lower end of the arm is formed with an arcuate outer edge 46.

When the door is opened, the hinged vertical edge 43 of the door moves away from the outer end of the plunger 42, allowing the arm 41 to respond to the action of its biasing spring 47. The spring serves to swing the arm on its pivot 48 so that the curved and insulated lower edge 46 thereof strikes the outer end of a resiliently defiectable coil spring terminal 49, the latter being fixed at its inner end on an insulated base strip 50 and connected with one of the conductors of the circuit 35 while the oppositeor continuing conductor is joined with the screw terminal 44.

As the arm 41 swings from the full line position of Fig. 5 to the broken line position, as when the door 8 is opened, its curved edge contacts and flexes the spring terminal 49, moving and holding the terminal in positions in which it will be spaced from circuit-completing contact with the arm-carried terminal 44. When the door 8 is closed, forcing the plunger 42 inwardly of the casing 9 and moving the arm 41 from the dotted line position of Fig. 5 to the full line position, the thin recessed edge 51 of the arm is disposed in registry with the resilient terminal 40, so that as the arm moves, the terminal is caused to wipingly contact the terminal screw 44, thereby mo mentarily completing the circuit 35 and energizing the solenoid coil.

The construction thus provides a remotely controlled, electrical door lock wherein a single-acting solenoid, when successively energized, functions to alternately move a bolt member between door-locking and unlocking positions. In the lock proper, springs are eliminated, and in lieu thereof, positively acting, inertia and gravity-responsive, motion-translating devices, namely, the armature 4 and the rocker arms or levers 5, 13, 16, and 21, are provided. The apparatus is simple, durable, and positive in its construction and operation, and may be conveniently actuated and operatively controlled. 7

While the preferred form of my improved lock construction does not require the use of spring means to operate the movable armature 4 and its connected parts, particularly when the lock is used in its normal upright position, yet it will be understoodthat spring means, such as that shown at S in Fig. 7, may be employed to assure positive operation and to render the construction effective when used under operative conditions other than the upright position above defined.

Other variations or modifications may be employed within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A lock mechanism comprising a casing; an electrically energized solenoid including a field coil and an armature movable longitudinally in one direction of said coil in response to its excitation; a lever; a support for said lever carried by said casing, said support providing an axis of turning movement for said lever disposed in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the armature; a throw arm pivotally mounted for swinging movement in said casing, said arm turning about an axis disposed between the pivotal axi of said lever and one end of said armature and arranged in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the armature; a link pivotally joined at one of its ends with an end of said armature and at its other end with the adjoining free swinging ends of said lever and throw arm; a latch member carried by said casing for movement between positions of retraction and projection; means actuated by the movement of said lever in response to solenoid excitation to efiect operating movement on the part of said latch member; and mean for positively maintaining said lever and arm in positions of rest lying substantially equi-distantly at each side of the longitudinal axis of said armature.

2. Lock mechanism as defined in claim 1, and wherein said means includes a weighted gravity responsive structure.

3. Lock mechanism as defined in claim 1, and wherein said means includes weighting enlargements formed with said armature.

4. Lock mechanism as defined in claim 1, and wherein said means includes a spring appliance.

5. A lock mechanism as defined in claim 1, and wherein circuit-controlling switch mechanism is provided, and motion-transmitting means uniting said lever with said switch mechanism for controlling its operation.

6. A lock mechanism as defined in claim 1, and wherein said latch member is mounted for sliding movement in said casing; a throw member joined at one end with and adapted for imparting movement to said latch member, said throw member being pivotally mounted in said casing; and tie means joining the opposite end of said throw member with said lever.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 668,650 Letzing Feb. 26, 1901 2,716,567 Trucott Aug. 30, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 10,466 Germany Jan. 10, 1903 276,237 Germany June 12, 1913 456,440 France a Aug. 26, 1913 

